GK-Sugbo homeowners’ security of tenure becoming more imminent

IT APPEARS that the residents of GK-Sugbo Village in Barangy Tunghaan, Minglanilla town in Metro Cebu have already been assured of a permanent home.

Former GK-Sugbo Village homeowners’ association president Claudia Waskin, 66, said in his reaction to the meeting between the Office of the Governor and Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-Ibig) on Wednesday, February 15, “Nalipay gyud mi. Hayag na ang among umaabot kay dili naman mi mapapahawa (We’re really happy. It’s now clear that we can’t be fired).”

Waskin, who is among the more than 100 families who live in the 1.1 hectare relocation site of the Cebu Provincial Government that was developed by Gawad Kalinga (GK), said they are now certain that they can own the properties that they occupy unlike in the past when they were constantly worried about their security of tenure.

"Gaan na among hunahuna, dili sama sa una nga naguol mi kay nabalaka nga papahawaon mi," Waskin added.

(We are now at ease unlike before when we were concerned that we would be removed.)

During the meeting, both the Cebu Provincial Government and Pag-Ibig agreed to reappraise the lot based on the current market value.

Waskin said she still needs to advise some of the homeowners to register with Pag-Ibig in order to be eligible for the housing loan.

The association will meet again with the governor in March.

In 2010, the Capitol agreed to sell the lots for the informal settlers at P1,250 per square meter through a government financing institution, but the beneficiaries failed to pay the agreed price.

But Waskin said the amount is anticipated to be higher now based on the property’s fair market value, and the amenities like the basketball court and road infrastructure will also be included in the computation.

Garcia had earlier declared that she will terminate the contract with GK-Sugbo Village because of their failure to pay for the past 12 years. (PAC/TPT)